1. Dialog Boxes Cooper 30 William H. Bowers – whb108@psu.edu

2. Topics • Introduction • Dialog Box Basics • Modal Dialog Boxes • Modeless Dialog Boxes • Modeless DialogConfusion Solutions William H. Bowers – whb108@psu.edu

3. Topics • Property Dialogs • Function Dialogs • Bulletin Dialogs • Process Dialogs • Bulletin Dialog Boxes William H. Bowers – whb108@psu.edu

4. Introduction • Secondary, not primary interaction • Suspends normal processing • Breaks the UI flow • Superimposed over current screen • Used for infrequent functions • Encapsulates and groups functions William H. Bowers – whb108@psu.edu

5. Dialog Box Basics • Must be • Speedy • Smooth • Compact • Powerful • Clear • Self-explanatory William H. Bowers – whb108@psu.edu

6. Dialog Box Basics • Called and controlled by owner (parent) • Contain controls • May/may not have title or caption • Two terminating buttons – OK, Cancel • No standard layout William H. Bowers – whb108@psu.edu

7. Modal Dialog Boxes • Most common dialog box • Suspends program execution • Disables other program controls • Must close to continue program • Application modal • System modal William H. Bowers – whb108@psu.edu

8. Modeless Dialog Boxes • Less common than modal dialogs • Program and controls still active • Few behavioral conventions • Can be confusing since unexpected • Underlying assumptions can change William H. Bowers – whb108@psu.edu

9. Modeless DialogConfusion Solutions • Evolutionary Solution • Visually differentiate modeless and modal dialogs • Consistent button terminology • Do not change captions when selections are made William H. Bowers – whb108@psu.edu

10. Modeless DialogConfusion Solutions • Radical solution • Eliminate modeless dialogs • Implement as toolbars instead • Floating • Docked William H. Bowers – whb108@psu.edu

11. Property Dialogs • Usually modal • Specific group of functionalities • Tied to an object • Object-verb form William H. Bowers – whb108@psu.edu

12. Function Dialogs • Usually modal • Single function • Printing • Spell checking • Inserting objects into documents • Launch and configure an action William H. Bowers – whb108@psu.edu

13. Bulletin Dialogs • Messages to user • Modal • Issued by the system William H. Bowers – whb108@psu.edu

14. Process Dialogs • Created by the application • Indicate program is busy and “stupid” • Four tasks • Indicate program is busy with a time consuming process • Indicate normality • Indicate remaining time • Allow user to cancel without penalty William H. Bowers – whb108@psu.edu

15. Bulletin Dialog Boxes • Reports problems • Usually contains text, graphic and OK button • Most abused element of GUI • Should never be transitory William H. Bowers – whb108@psu.edu

16. Questions & Discussion William H. Bowers – whb108@psu.edu